Essential workers have been putting themselves in danger to provide, what we consider, essential products. Food, Water, Medicine.
As we dig down deeper into the world of essential workers, it is a larger group of people than those that work on the front line in the medical and education world.
It is those working with fresh produce, meat and dry goods that work with different parameters. These essential workers ensure people are being provided with important goods while still trying to protect themselves.
The fruit picker, working in the fresh air, is in the proximity of others. The butcher that is trying to process as much meat, as fresh as possible, in the confined space he has always worked in. The line automation worker, quality checking, packing and getting goods out the door as fast as possible to meet supply demands. The supervisors having to move between multiple people to help, motivate, correct and still hit all the increased targets the business requires.
Protection is a new topic for many businesses. Health and Safety has always been paramount, and for the most part, done extremely well. Now there is a new challenge bestowed upon companies to ensure their team members are protected as best as possible. As many have said, we are in times now that we haven’t lived before. The uncertainty of something so dangerous, yet invisible can create a lot of anxiety amongst many of us.
Recommendations have been provided for working at a distance, but what happens to those that must be within the two-metre rule? Personal protection equipment (PPE) is the current best option to help minimise risk.
The primary sector in New Zealand is working at new levels of supplier due to demand. Workers may not have symptoms of sickness but are wanting the reassurance as they put themselves at risk every day. The use of PPE, such as face masks can reduce the spread of infection when used correctly.
Punchbowl Packaging is a provider of sustainable packaging, post harvesting packaging and personal protection equipment. We can work with you to provide your team with the best protection.
